Engage with our local governance consultation at drop-in events
05 July 2022 : Council news, Community
Residents are being encouraged to find out more about proposed changes to local governance arrangements at engagement events taking place during the second stage of public consultation.
Somerset West and Taunton Council is considering whether a town council should be created to represent the central area of Taunton - the only part of the county not to be parished as a result of local government reorganisation in 1974.
The Community Governance Review, which takes in eight adjoining parish council areas, comes as the four district councils and the county council work together to deliver the new unitary Somerset Council in April 2023.
SWT is currently consulting on preferred options for local governance identified by the cross-party Community Governance Review Working Group following the initial consultation in Winter 2021.
It has organised a series of drop-in events where members of the public can find out more about the proposed changes and how they could affect the current arrangement in their parishes.
The first drop-in takes place at Comeytrowe Community Hall from 1pm- 4pm on Friday 8 July followed by Staplegrove Village Hall from 9am -12 midday on Monday 11 July and Cheddon Fitzpaine Memorial Hall from 3pm -7pm on Monday 11 July.
SWT will also have a stand in Taunton town centre on Saturday 16 July by the Taunton Visitor Centre. Staff and Councillors will be on hand at all the events to engage with the public.
Cllr Derek Perry, Chair of the Community Governance Review Working Group, said: “It’s important to us that local residents, businesses and organisations continue to engage with the consultation and have a say in how they are governed at local level.
“I hope people will take these opportunities to find out more about the preferred options and talk to our representatives so we can answer questions and encourage them to respond to the consultation. Their feedback is valuable when finalising proposals that reflect the identities and interest of the local community. “
The recommendations made following the first stage of public consultation are detailed in the second stage consultation document.
The consultation runs until 26 July 2022, after which the working group will consider all feedback before making final recommendations to be considered by Full Council this autumn, with the potential for a new council to be in place on 1 April 2023.